Plastic is everywhere and has become a serious threat to the environment
and to health. To replace plastic, materials scientists have looked to
nature for examples. The target material has to be tough, light, and
versatile --like compounds found in silk, insect wings, and shrimp
shells. A very promising replacement based on such compounds has been developed
by Javier Fernández and Donald Ingber at the Wyss Institute of Harvard.
The material, which these scientists called "shrilk," is modeled on
natural compounds. It is biodegradable and also biocompatible, meaning
it can be used in medical applications including surgery. 
Shrilk can be produced inexpensively and it can be molded into complex
shapes varying in stiffness and elasticity. Dr. Fernández explains
the urgent need to replace plastic, the challenge of developing
innovative materials like shrilk, and the great many uses for this new
material.

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